Pregnancy and Parenthood in Dance

As many of you know, I am a full-time mom in addition to a dancer, teacher, and blogger. Being a relatively new mom, I am just learning and getting started in the balancing act between these twothree four worlds. Knowing that there are other dancing mamas out there, I wanted to share a research study that is currently being conducted in the UK. I was made aware of the project by a faithful reader, Camille (thanks)!

Pregnancy & Parenthood in Dance

2008

‘Vincent has long felt that female directors are second-class citizens in the dance world, left to mother their companies, never fast-tracked – but this feminist subtext never overpowers Look at Me Now, Mummy.’ The Observer, 2008

Dance UK, Vincent Dance Theatre and Creative & Cultural Skills are working together on a research initiative looking at the issues surrounding pregnancy, parenthood and the return to work for professional dancers and dance companies working in the UK.

The research explores how companies and choreographers can better support women in work before, during and after pregnancy, and also parents to continue to make work, perform and tour. The project was initiated by Charlotte Vincent who wants to continue to work with peer practitioners in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s who have or wish to have children.

VDT recognises that the conditions for working as a parent are rarely there in the dance sector. We have to recognise the shifts that need to happen in our practice as we get older – mature practitioners don’t want to work away from home so much, they need to bring their families with them and their bodies have changed. In seeking ways to support parent/dancers, VDT faces multiple challenges which range from working safely the studio providing increased subsistence and accommodation for spouses on tour, staggered rehearsal periods, understudies, managing long periods away from home and all the time challenging notions that dance is only for younger practitioners with no family commitments.

Realising that these are issues that face the whole dance industry, Charlotte proposed the project as a way of sharing information, celebrating existing good practice and suggesting models for companies to adopt.

The final research document will provide an analysis of dancers’ and companies’ experiences, detail best practice case studies and offer advice to companies and choreographers in order to support dancers in continuing to perform after having children. The team hope to receive responses from as wide a range of individuals and companies as possible – from ballet and West End companies, small and middle-scale touring companies, individual dancers, dance practitioners and choreographers.

Jane Whitehead, Vincent Dance Theatre’s General Manager, will be conducting the research and is happy to receive responses by telephone, email or via face to face meetings. All responses will be treated in confidence and case studies will only be included in the final report with the full agreement of individuals or companies.

To take part in the research please contact Jane at Vincent Dance Theatre on
0114 2210369 or jane@vincentdt.com

Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Music, Performing, Literary and Visual Arts, aiming to bridge the gap between industry, education and the government, to give employers a real influence over education and skills in the UK.

Unsure if the study was intended for only those involved in professional performance, I asked Jane if other dance professionals such as teachers could participate as well. She replied, “we are keen to hear from a range of dance practitioners including teachers and workshop leaders as well as performers.”

So, if you are interested in participating please contact Jane at the above address. She wants to collect the data by the end of December, so don’t wait! The research results are to be circulated in the spring, around Easter.

Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world.

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Nichelle is the owner and editor of Dance Advantage. Struck by the potential the Internet held for creating community among dancers online, she founded Dance Advantage in 2008 to share information, tips, and advice about dance and dance training. Each month, the site reaches thousands of new and returning readers from all over the world. Thank YOU for reading!Learn more about how and why Nichelle launched DA...